11 Bill Support

11 Bill SupportPost Post-9/11 Bill SupportUnsurprisingly, the Post-9/11 GI Bill that was enacted in achter monat des jahres enticed an abundance of veterans to apply for college this year. The Department of Veterans Affairs has deemed more than 200,000 vets eligible to receive some or all of the necessary funding for an in-state, undergraduate education. Although complaints about the programs slow payment turnaround time have been overshadowing the positive anecdotes, schools across the country are equipping themselves to accommodate this new demographic Not only are most schools tolerating late tuition payments from vets, but many are incorporating a boot camp of their own into the universitys curriculum. This semester, the University of Missouri re-introduced a course designed specifically for veterans, George Mason University hired a full-time veteran liaison to rectify any inequities, and Western Michigan University held a Veterans in the Classroom webinar for faculty and staff.A ccording to a recent Washington Post article, as of July, 57 percent of academic institutions offer veteran-specific services and organizations designed to help new enrollees transition from the battlefield to the classroom. With the marked growth of these new programs, student vets can rest assured that their support system extends beyond a signed check. Posted by Megan Cassidy

Customize this Impressive Guest Service Agent Resume Sample

Customize this Impressive Guest tafelgeschirr Agent Resume SampleCustomize this Impressive Guest Service Agent Resume SampleGaining employment in yur desired field requires a strong resume that displays your biggest accomplishments and proves why youd be an asset to the company. Resume samples are helpful for several reasons. Documents such as our guest tafelgeschirr agent resume sample give you an idea of what type of information the competition may be including in their own documents. In addition, youll gain important knowledge about proper formatting of your document to ensure it is easy for a hiring manager to read. Use the sample and our resume writing tips to help you get abfluged. Are you still stumped? Dont forget to check out our resume builder to make your task even easier.Create Resume Shelia Stine100 Broadway LaneNew Parkland, CA, 91010Cell (555) 987-1234example-emailexample.comProfessional SummaryFriendly and outgoing Guest Service Agent trained in the front desk operat ions of major hotel chains and smaller boutique bed and breakfasts. Specialize in helping guests check in and out, giving them advice and information about the surrounding area, listening to complaints and helping guests enjoy their stays.Core QualificationsCustomer serviceFriendly and professional demeanorTrained in computers and computer softwareGuest management and relationsBookkeeping experienceVendor managementExperienceGuest Service Agent, April 2011 January 2015Wilton Hotels, Inc., Los Angeles, CAResponsible for processing reservations made online and over the phone.Greeted guests checking in and out to ensure they enjoyed their stays.Checked the computer system hourly to identify requests made by guests.Talked with guests about their complaints and found ways to soothe their worries and anger.Learned safety protocols and identified what to do during emergency situations, including fires and robberies.Guest Service Agent, July 2009 March 2011Blue Cloud Inn, San Diego, CAPro vided guests with general information regarding meals served on-site and meal times.Made alternative arrangements for guests with certain dietary restrictions.Used accounting software to calculate the final bill for each guest.Processed reservations and payments using point of sale software.Responsible for alerting housekeeping and other departments about issues in the lobby and guest rooms.Education2009, New Cityland High School, New Cityland, CAHigh School DiplomaCustomize ResumeWhy Is This a Good Guest Service Agent Resume Sample?The guest service agent resume sample provides several excellent guidelines for writing your own resume. The applicant started with a short professional summary that stated her job title, the fact that she was trained to work in both small and large establishments, and what she specialized in. The statement provided a well-rounded overview of what the reader can expect to read about in the rest of the resume.The resume goes on to provide a list of core q ualifications. The applicant used best practices for resume writing by including this near the top of the resume, keeping it to just a few succinct bullet points, and providing information about the most important skills. She mentioned her customer service skills, computer skills, and vendor management skills among several other important bullet points, each of which would be likely to entice a hiring manager to keep reading.Next, the guest service agent resume sample provided a work experience section. The applicant provided vital information about each position, including her job title, the dates she worked for the company, and the companys name and location. Each listing included a set of five bullet points that go into further detail about her experience. Most of her bullet points begin with a strong action verb, which is always preferred by hiring managers. The bullets are a good mix of customer service skills, computer skills, and teamwork skills.Finally, the applicant include d a short education section. Although always necessary, this area typically doesnt need to be too detailed because companies are much more interested in skills and experience. When writing your education section, include the name and location of the institution you studied at, the degree you earned, and when you earned it, just like this resume did.Overall, this resume is a solid example that used professional formatting and an easy-to-read font. The professionalism of the konzept and information provided are sure to interest recruiters.Why You Need a Strong Guest Service Agent ResumeMore than 2.5 million people are already employed in the guest services industry and more than 250,000 jobs will become available between now and 2024. With a faster-than-average growth rate of 10 percent, expect to see more people interested in getting into the field. This means you need a strong document like our guest service agent resume sample from the start. Creating a strong resume now will help you to stand out from other applicants in the future, but it also helps you in the present. Most hiring managers spend less than 10 seconds looking over your resume, which means the strong the information is and the easier your document is to skim, the more likely you are to hear from a company regarding coming in for an interview.Costly Guest Service Agent Resume Mistakes To AvoidDid you know that a resume with mistakes on it is more than 50 percent more likely to be thrown out? In addition to using a professional font, professional formatting, and proofreading at least twice, you should avoid several other costly mistakes. While this guest service agent resume sample is excellent overall, the applicant could have done three things to make it even better. A third sentence in the professional summary that listed some relevant personality traits would have helped her stand out more. In the employment section, avoid using responsible for to start a bullet point, as it reads more like a job description than a resume when using that verbiage. Finally, the applicant listed some great skills in the core qualifications section, but they would have been even better if listed from most to least important. Additionally, never include personal information such as your political or religious views.ConclusionFollowing the best resume writing practices in the way this guest service agent resume sample does is crucial if you want to have a successful job search. Luckily, modeling your document after the sample, following the dos and donts included here, and using our resume builder will guide you on the right path. Soon, youll have an engaging resume that gains the attention of hiring managers.

Creating and Pitching Your Creative Portfolio

Creating and Pitching Your Creative PortfolioCreating and Pitching Your Creative PortfolioPaving the path to a job offer often stspeciess with creating - and presenting - a killer creative portfolio.Developing a creative portfolio can be pretty intimidating. Whether putting together a first portfolio or updating an existing one, many creative professionals dont know where to start or find themselves paralyzed by indecision. Thats a problem because a strong portfolio is the single fruchtwein important career tool for creatives today.And while its fine to have a printed portfolio, you absolutely need a digital one. In fact, many job seekers and freelancers land offers exclusively with online portfolios, never assembling a physical book at all. A TCG recruiter in Denver told me that hiring managers often ask to see a persons work before a resume. And by work, they mean a link to an online portfolio.When not meeting with clients and candidates, TCG teams spend a big chunk of their time reviewing digital portfolios. If they find themselves struggling with a sites navigation or overall design, theyre going to quickly move to the next one. You likely have about 30 seconds to capture the attention of a recruiter or hiring manager and draw them in closer. (Thats probably less time than you spend writing a social media post.)TCG recruiters always say good design grabs them first, but it takes amazing creative work to keep them looking. That doesnt mean you need a super-fancy website, especially if youre not a web designer.Focus on creating a digital portfolio thats clean, intuitive and reflective of your personal brand. Your overall goal is to make it as easy as possible for people to see your very best work and get a sense of your style, range and who you are as a creative professional.Putting the right pieces in placeBe a tough and strategic editor. Take a hard look at your samples and put your most impressive pieces first. If youre struggling to make a decision, ask a colleague, designer friend or mentor for a second opinion. They can help give you a gut check on which creative pieces and projects are truly your best.Skip the design bells and whistles. Take a cue from spare, white box art galleries. White space gives your work plenty of room to breathe and a place for the viewers eyes to rest. Mimicking this feel online keeps the emphasis on your samples.Include captions. Written descriptions add context and value (assuming theyre free of spelling and grammatical errors, of course). When writing captions, think about these questionsWhat did I contribute?Did the piece generate sales or boost the bottom line? How much?Did I receive positive feedback from a boss, client or the target audience? (Metrics matter, but compelling qualitative information can also be helpful.)Did I overcome major creative, budgetary or timeline constraints?Did the project win any industry awards or get mentioned in the media?Focus on quality over quantity. Personally, I d rather see eight great pieces in a creative portfolio than 20 mediocre ones. Its tempting to pack in as much work as possible, but showing you know how to spot the best concepts and tailor your portfolio to the job opening is even more important. One bad sample can call your skills and judgment into question.Make sure your website is responsive. Always think of functionality and the end user. Put your portfolio to the test by checking ansehen load times and making sure your portfolio functions properly on every version of every browser on every platform.Be consistent with your branding. If you create a visual theme, carry the design through. The theme should also be evident in your resume, cover letter or other application materials.Use a portfolio site if necessary. Not an expert designer? Sites such as Behance, Coroflot or Carbonmade can get you up and running quickly thanks to a template. The Creative Group also offers a free portfolio tool to registered candidates and we show case exceptional talent, tooTake the time to customize. Tailor your samples to the needs of the company. Think about whether youre applying to a buttoned-up Fortune 500 firm, a scrappy start-up or something in between. Its easy for employers to spot whos done their research and who hasnt.SEARCH CREATIVE JOB OPENINGSPitching your creative portfolioAs the saying goes, practice makes perfect. Dont head out to present your portfolio to a potential employer or client until youve created a compelling and cohesive overall pitch.Think of it like this Youre auditioning for the job, and how you present yourself (and your work) gives clues as to how youd perform in a meeting with internal or external clients. While your creative work will be the focus, your interpersonal abilities will also be evaluated. Show some personality. Its your job to engage, persuade and enlighten your audience.Hiring managers often tell us theres nothing more disappointing than someone with a great creative portfolio who doesnt have the ability to connect in person. Employers need to know youll be able to successfully fit in as part of a larger creative team, collaborate with other departments and sell your ideas. With all this in mind, use technology as a presentation tool and not a crutch.Organize your samples and customize them for each interview or meeting. For each individual sample you feature, think about your caption content and then use this simple formula problem, solution, results.The problem the client faced was To solve this challenge, I As a result, there was Be as specific as you can, especially about results. Dont be afraid to brag about a bump in conversions or sales. Offering specific numbers when you have them can help bolster your case and show that you think strategically.Take the time to practice talking aloud about each sample and be prepared to answer tricky questions. An interviewer might ask you about a typography selection or how you approached the discovery process. Make sure youre ready to answer.Ideally, youll be able to walk the interviewer through the bulk of your work. But often, hiring managers are pressed for time. To be on the safe side, develop a top five pitch. Choose the five best samples in your portfolio the ones that show off your skills and most closely match the companys creative needs. Then spend 30 seconds talking about each one. Youll want to develop a condensed version of the problem, solution, results formula I mentioned above. This will enable you to showcase both your work and your ability to communicate quickly a skill all busy managers, executives or potential clients prize.Diane Domeyer is executive director of The Creative Group. For more tips on landing a new job or freelance work, subscribe to the blog now.

4 things to do when interviewing for a job that feels out of your league

4 things to do when bewerbungsgesprching for a job that feels out of your league4 things to do when interviewing for a job that feels out of your leagueIts been reportedthat compared to men, women dont always go out on a limb by applying for positions even though they dont meet all the requirementsas frequently, but you dont have to let that stop you. Here are some job interview tips for how to handle an interview for a position that feels out of your league.1. Talk about the right skillsAndrea Sobel, a headhunter and hiring manager at Parsons, told Business Insider about what to focus on during the interview - and what to steer clear ofYou want to make sure youre talking about the topics that they want to hear. If you have five skills in your current job, but the company youre interviewing for is only focusing on three of those skills, dont waste too much of your time discussing the other two.2. Make sure you know a lot about the fieldSara McCord, an editor and freelance writer, su ggests in The Musethat you should contact a connection who has been successful in the industry your interviewing for to learn more about it, and about the power of doing your homework beforehandIn a reach interview, you can compensate for being lighter on skills or experience by seeming totally immersed in the company and industry. For example, even if youve never used the exact software the company uses to track its emails, youll seem capable if youve heard of it, and - if along with discussing a recent newsletter (which any candidate could do) - you also discuss how it reflects the shifts in communication recently advocated by a major thought leader in the sector. A little extra research can make all the difference in looking clued in and ready to go, rather than out of your league.3. Keep your personality in checkAlison Green, author of the Ask a Manager blog, writes in U.S. News World Report that you shouldstrike the right balance between confidence and humility when intervie w time comesThis is a tricky one. On one hand, if youre not confident that you can do the work, your interviewer wont be either. But on the other hand, you dont want to come across as inappropriately cocky or naive about your own experience level and what it will take to do the job well. You need to find a balance somewhere in the middle confident but with a realistic understanding of your own strengths and weaknesses.4. Show how open-minded you areInterview expert Barry Drexler told CNBC about three measures that can betaken in an interview where the job is a reach, the last of which is to show how much youre open to learning something new. For instance, if youve never managed before, but are asked if you have, you can convey something along the lines ofI dont have managerial experience, but I was allowed to take the lead on various projects where I delegated tasks to other co-workers and received specified results. If I could obtain these specified results then Im sure I can effe ctively manage a team here and am willing to learn from those above me.

4 ways improv can help you succeed at work

4 ways improv can help you succeed at work4 ways improv can help you succeed at workAs improv comedians, the same philosophyandprinciples that work so well for us on stage also work very well when we apply them to our geschftliches miteinander.Here are four ways you canapply improv techniques to help you succeed at work.1. Become an active listenerEveryone thinks that to be an improviser that you have to be super quick. We hear that comment after every show You guys are so quick. We always smile and take the compliment, but its not really the truth.The truth is that we listen very well. And we dont just listen we actively listen.You have to be present, you have to be in the moment, and you have to be non-judgmental. You just have to go with anidea. And the way you do that is to listen and then build on that thought.As business leaders and entrepreneurs, weve learned that being a better listener actually makes you a better communicator. Youve heard everyone out so youre able to make d ecisions without overlooking things. Youre not thinking of the thing you were going to say next youre paying attention to whats happeningnow.In the improv world, we dont know where were going we only know where weve been. So its paramount that we all retain that information because its influencing our decisions, much like in the business world.A lot of people pride themselves on multitasking.But basically all multitasking is is doing a lot of things in an average way.When people are actively listening, theyre retaining anywhere from 90 to 95% of the pertinent information. When theyre multitasking, they may be retaining 40%. If youre at work running around only retaining 40% of the information, youre doing yourself a disservice, and youre certainly doing everyone around you a disservice.2. Practice yes, and . . .The number one rule that we have is to strike the word no and replace it with the two magic words yes, and . . . Its a philosophy, not a statement.It means that youdont judge anidea. You agree with it by saying yes, and thenyou add your2 cents so that itbecomes a collective idea and both people have by in to its success.People are often no, but . . . Theres a lot of negativity. People will always find the problem or the reason for not doing something.But they arent mistakes in our worldthere are only disruptions from the routine. Improv forces you to solve scenarios on the fly. Were all about finding a work around and moving forward.Becoming a yes, and . . . person is like going to the gym. You have to practice iteveryday and reframe your brain to not go to no first. If it has to be a no, so be it, butmake it a considerate no.3. Embrace all ideasOne of the rules that we live by is that there are no wrong or bad ideas, and nobodys ideas are any better or worse than anyone elses. There are just high- and low-percentage choices.The creativity comes when you can recognize that every idea has merit. What weve found is that sometimes those low-percentage choi ces end up being wonderfully creative ideas that we would have never come up with because we would have dismissed them early as wrong. These ideas get the ball rolling.When you do that within your business, you develop a culture where people realize theyre going to be heard andthat theyre not going to be judged or shot down.Imagine how creative you would be if whatever you brought to the table, your team would build upon. Theres no fear involved.The freedom to create is endless.4. Empower yourteamIf you practice these techniques, youre honoring and empowering those around you, and they in turn will honor and empower you.For instance, we noticed that a lot of people wereon their phones before and during ourshow.From our perspective as the performers on the stage, we thought it was rude. But then our technical director, who sits behind the audience and runs the lights and sound, told us that he was seeing people give us five-star reviews and tweet about the show.He suggested that inst ead of being angry, we should incorporate phonesinto the show. Now, we have people upload funny photos on our Facebook page, and we improvise from the photos. As a happy accident to this, our social media numbers are through the roof.When people think about the corporate ladder, they think that the way to get aheadis to step on whomever you need to step on. But thats not how we advance. The way we ascend is by making each other look good. We pull each other up.David Wilk, Frank Ford, and David Ahearn are the co-founders of the improv groupFour Day Weekend and the co-authors of the upcoming book Happy Accidents How Yes, And Thinking Helps You Open Hearts, Change Minds, and Win Together in a No, But World.As told to Kirsten Salyer.

The Upside to Resume Without Work Experience

The Upside to Resume Without Work Experience You probably realize that having an expert CV is always likely to offer you benefits. You might be the very best candidate for the job, but when your resume isnt written correctly, your odds of showing your expertise are extremely slim. Your resume structure can ensure it is much easier for them to look closely at whatever you wish to express. A work application procedure includes adding everything that would create an outstanding impression. How to Get Started with Resume Without Work Experience? Resume is not merely a document. however, it defines you and is the very first important key that ensures your prospective employer takes interest in you. Resume is a significant document stating your information essential for the job. Instead, you can check the suitable illustration of CV for comprehensive comprehension of curriculum vitae. Looking up resume examples is an amazing first step to know the many formats and styles in-dept h. Web design certification is one fantastic way to break in the information technology field. If you are thinking about how to create an effective Resume, among the things to bear in mind is that it should be search engine optimized. You have to keep trying to find the best one until you find one, and you need to get a schablone that brings an extra focus on your strengths. Fortunately, you will find various resume examples online on how best to compose a great resume. Your CV is a tool which you use to sell your abilities and abilities to prospective employers, your CV has to be the best it can because you just have one shot to produce an impression. Such information will unnecessarily increase the amount of your CV and produce no sense. When its just generic info, you might want to leave it out. By using the examples of resumes, you wont only be in a position to add correct and precise info in your resume but will likewise be able to impress your prospective employer. Fai rly brief date gaps arent that unusual. On your CV you wish to communicate how good youre as fast as you can. The target of your resume is to secure you the interview. Employing a resume builder to create a whole and catchy resume is a fantastic way to entice a possible employer. Employers will demand for at least two references when you submit an application for any job. Consequently, job seekers have to understand how to sell their abilities and qualifications with the aid of their principal advertising and marketing document. Experience in the restaurant industry can help you develop unique skills which are extremely valuable. If you feel as if you want to modify industries, then it is the right time to get started educating yourself on the jobs in your new industry. Therefore, in case you have a job which interests you and the provider is on the lookout for someone with four decades of qualified experience, you most likely will not find it if you merely bring in your tra ining. You will get awesomely optimized resumes and you will make your life simpler Youll need an outstanding resume to acquire the work prospect. To begin with, you can have a look at the job posting that the geschftliches miteinander creating to determine just what is required for the position. You ought to find specific job opening posted by a particular business you would like to submit an application for. Many jobs simply request a resume. Therefore you must know precisely how to choose the best resume design before putting in an application for a work interview The major job of a network administrator is to produce and manage networks be it a little thing or a huge thing. One of the primary cryptocurrency advantages is that its secure and anonymous.

What to wear to work

What to wear to work What to wear to workPosted October 13, 2011, by Helen Isbister Dressing for success can be quite a challenge. Not all of us are born with an innate sense of style that makes us look like weve stepped straight out of a work-wear catalogue. Not only that, different industries and companies require different dress codes can you imagine wearing a tie while cleaning toilets? Or turning up to a corporate meeting wearing fishnets? Whether you are starting a brand spanking new job or youve been with the same company for the past 10 years, what you wear to work each day is important. It can be an indicator of how well you do the job, can help determine whether you get chosen for that hard-earned promotion, or can help you fit in with the team and the corporate culture of the company. The goal in the work-wear game is to project your competency and professionalism while also being comfortable, both practically and psychologically. You are what you wear Whether you work the checkouts at a discount store, flip burgers at a nicht weit davon entfernt sein food chain or are the PA at a multi-million dollar company you are what you wear. The clothes you wear can speak volumes about the type of person you are. Without even realising it, when we choose our outfits each day it is a reflection of who we are and how we are feeling. Whether we like it or not, people are ready to judge and make assumptions about our personality and work ethic based on what we use to cover our bodies. Hence, why dressing for work is so important. If you choose to dress like youve just rolled out of bed, if your uniform is unironed and tatty, then that is how your approach to work will be perceived like you dont really care. However, if your shoes are always polished, your clothes are pressed and you look like youve put a bit of effort into your presentation then you are more likely to come across as capable, prepared and keen for work. Regardless of your position or the compa ny you work for, you need to look the part. Dress for the industry Not all industries are the same and neither are their dress requirements. Naturally, a real estate agent will be dressed very differently to a rockstar, and a model will be going for a very different look to the Prime Minister. There are different expectations and practicalities of work clothes for different professions and you need to dress appropriately for the type of workplace youre in. In the medical profession, for example, a nurse would be expected to wear comfortable shoes as they may be on their feet running busily around the wards all day. Someone working with children would be expected to dress appropriately and wear something smarter than their students. An outdoor worker would be required to wear covered-toe shoes and a hat and sunglasses for protection. A corporate environment would call for a suit and tie and a more creative industry might allow for a little more expression with your wardrobe. Safety and practicality should be the starting points in your dress-for-success campaign. Stilettos may be the required footwear for models, but your career could be set for a fall if you try tottering around building sites in them. Some jobs will spell out the safety requirements, so check out whether hard hats and enclosed shoes come with the territory. Its equally important to be comfortable in your workwear while a ridiculously tight pair of leather pants are unlikely to prove fatal, it could strangle your professional performance or at least your credibility. Fitting in One of the best clues to company dress codes is what your boss wears since company culture plays a huge part in what your wardrobe should be. If everyone is ultra-formal then youll stick out a mile if you rock up in jeans, a Mickey Mouse T-shirt and thongs. However, if your boss is playing the casual card, then feel free to be a little more relaxed yourself. Dress for the job you want to be in, because if you look the part, youll be more likely to get the part. Some industries tend to be stricter than others. Particularly in a corporate environment where the company may want you to project a certain image to clients, fitting in with the corporate culture is vital. If youre going for an interview, dress like you already work at the company. In an age where anything goes, the dress code for a company may not always turn out to be what you think. For someone working in IT you might picture a suit and tie or something fairly conservative, but employees who work at the Apple Computer office are encouraged to show up wearing anything they want thongs, hats, shorts, jeans, work-out clothes you name it I never dressed nicer than sweat pants. I often came in whatever I slept in the night before and walked around the office barefoot. Nobody cared, says one employee. However, its always good to check out the dress code before turning up to the office in your pyjamas save the embarrassment, and your job Keep it modest There are some definite office fashion faux pas to avoid if you want to keep your career intact and being too sexy is one of them. Sheer dresses, low-cut tops, strappy shoes, mini-skirts, see-through lace and spaghetti straps are office no-nos (well, most offices anyway). You want to be known for the great work you do, not your body. Working from home If your desk is just metres from your bed, it doesnt mean wearing your pyjamas all day is a given. One of the great mistakes people working from home can make is to let their dress standards drop. Making an effort to look sharp can psychologically boost your performance and serve as a reminder that even though youre at home, youre there to work. The basics Even a killer suit can be let down if the accessories are left wanting. And listen up men, because accessories arent only the domain of women. Shoes should always be polished, and briefcases and bags shouldnt be tatty. Ties should be clean and in keeping with the style of suit (that means no Garfield, Homers or Cupids). For women, a nice haircut and polished make-up make a big difference in the overall appearance. When it comes to tattoos, piercings and crazy haircuts, their acceptability will come down to individual bosses. Understandably, some companies wouldnt want to send someone covered in tattoos out to their clients, so keep that in mind when making any permanent changes to your appearance. Remember, you are what you wear ResourcesMy first resumeCover letter for my first jobCareer Insider StoriesShelley Lask - Body Positive Health & FitnessInterested in becoming a?Human Resources OfficerGeneral ManagerBusiness ManagerAccountantOffice AdministratorPopular Career Searcheswork etiquette and mannershow to become a disability support worker in australiasocial work internship cover letterhow to become a social worker in australiawhy do you want to work in retail answers CoursesBachelor of Social WorkEnquire ansprechbar Enquire OnlineCer tificate III in Health AdministrationEnquire Online Enquire OnlineBachelor of Criminal JusticeEnquire Online Enquire OnlineCertificate III in Allied Health AssistanceEnquire Online Enquire OnlineHelen IsbisterRelated ArticlesBrowse moreWorkplace cultureFriday Playlist Music to get you motivatedGetting back into the swing of things can be tremendously difficult if youre returning from the Best Holiday of Your Life. Our Friday playlist can ease the pain.Information TechnologyITGlobal IT Economics InfographicIT has changed the way we shop, bank, communicate, be entertained, learn and more... But at what price? See how much money flows through the IT world to better our existence.Human resources career fact sheetA career in HR is a career worth having Find out more about this rewarding industry in our career fact sheet

Did you hear Our brains are hardwired for gossip

Did you hear Our brains are hardwired for gossipDid you hear Our brains are hardwired for gossipHave you ever felt that your workplace - which may look like a mild-mannered gathering of people in business casual - is sometimes as treacherous as the infamously backstabbing Court of Louis XIV?Of course you have. Thats why Game of Thrones is so popular in every middle manager fretting over the year-end budget, there is a eignung Littlefinger waiting to emerge.So yes, we know the bad side of gossip the irresponsibility of it, the perpetual factlessness, the maliciousness, the way it tears apart teams and makes people leave their jobs. Office gossips also tend to be enormous time-wasters, spending more time talking smack than getting work done.But gossip can be good, too. Yes, take your hands off your ears gossip can be helpful in certain situations. Sure, too much venting and complaining is not helpful, but learning some otherwise-obscure details about your co-workers can teach you who is trustworthy and who you should avoid. Gossip is, in other words, the way that we can engage in the centuries-old human practice of sizing each other up and navigating complex social systems.And guess what? Whether you love it or hate it, gossip is not going away. Because our brains are built for it.Hardwired for socialA new study shows how this gossiping impulse is built into our very neurons. A 2017 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences highlighted the stakes of developing those social networks knowledge about other people is critical for group survival and may have unique cognitive processing demands.The researchers asked 50 participants to learn biographical information, such as occupation, marital position and personality traits, about fictional people. The participants were then asked to recall that information three days later with different cues like giving the participants a face or a name.In each scenario, the anterior temporal lobe, or ATL, was t he neural switchboard coordinating how our brains could represent abstract concepts about a person - Bill is an introvert- and rapidly retrieve this person knowledge.This makes sense our brains are also wired to understand information better when it comes in the form of a story. (Which is why all the great epics, from Beowulf to Gilgamesh, have lasted so long despite their incredible length theyre in story form).Theres another reason we store information about others so well because were always looking for insight into our own behavior.Gossip makes you evaluateyourselfA 2014 study in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin defined gossip as positive or negative evaluative talk about someone who is not present. Researchers found that, for better or worse, were social creatures who use evaluative information about others to evaluate ourselves. Do you know anyone who measures himself against a celebrity? Thats why we want to know how were doing compared to the leaders in our sp ecies (and feel superior to the laggards).Heres an example Researchers got over 150students at a Dutch university to recall an incident where someone told them positive or negative gossip about a students competence. Students were then asked to reflect on the information with statements like The information I received made me feel that I am doing well compared to X in the group assignment.Learning positive gossip about other people was linked to a self-improvement value, so that learning about other peoples accomplishments allowed individuals to picture similar future success for themselves. Learning negative gossip about others, in comparison, helped individuals with their self-promotion, or a sense of pride. Hearing about others failure allowed individuals to feel good about where they stood in the social hierarchy. Men in the study felt their egos inflate more than women when they heard negative gossip, researchers found.Negative gossip also increased self-protection concerns for all recipients, or fears that they too could become objects of bad office gossip.Overall, the researchers found that women were more sensitive to gossip than men, and that men felt less self-protective fear when they heard about negative gossip than women, leading them to conclude women may be more sensitive than men to information revealing a benign or malignant social environment and may also derive their self-views to a higher extent from it.In the end, gossip is like any addictive substance such as alcohol or cigarettes a little may not hurt you, but use it responsibly or you could really feel some pain.

Leaders Set the Work Pace Through Their Expectations and Example

Leaders Set the Work Pace Through Their Expectations and ExampleLeaders Set the Work Pace Through Their Expectations and ExampleEnlightened leadership is spiritual if we understand spirituality not as some kind of religious dogma or ideology but as the domain of awareness where we experience values like truth, goodness, beauty, love, and compassion, and also intuition, creativity, insight, and focused attention. - Deepak Chopra The speed of the leader determines the rate of the pack. - Ralph Waldo Emerson Leadership is a matter of having people look at you and gain confidence, seeing how you react. If youre in control, theyre in control. - Tom Landry Many years ago, an employee interviewed for what turned out to be her very first job managing people. She welches naive and optimistic, a fact that must have amused the vice president of HR who interviewed her. She asked, Why do you want to manage people? Her answer was something along the lines of, I know a lot about this area and I fee l like I can be agreat ratgeber to people. Im really excited to share what I know about HR data with others and build a great team. She laughed and said, Ill tell you a secret. Managing people is a pain in the behind. The employee was given the job anyway, and she started with a heart full of hope and a head full of ideas. But she was woefully unprepared to manage other humans. Sure, she knew HR data like the back of her hand, but she hadnt ever had to exercise leadership skills as a manager before. She got off to a bumpy start, but then, through her own great manager as well as lots of trial and error, she learned how to lead. One of the key points about leadership is that a leader sets the pace throughexpectationsand example. Setting the Pace If youre always in a panic, jumping anytime someone says boo and constantly stressed out about accomplishing all of the work, your staff will experience stress as well. One secret about work is that without meaning to, you can turn a reas onable workload into a complete nightmare of stress. Instead, as a leader, sit down andevaluate whether the pressure you are feeling is real or imagined. Imagined pressure doesnt mean that you dont really have deadlines and clients (internal and external) that make unrealistic demands on your time. Imagined pressure means that you impose on yourself things that arent necessary to get the job done. Sometimes, pressure actually goes away if you push back a little. If youve experienced a manager who was always frantic and constantly putting out fires, you know the affect this behavior has on employees. Everyone was stressed out, all of the time. But most of her pressure was imagined. She had the idea that she had to deliver right now for everything. The reality was that the clients didnt need what she was demanding of her staff. One Friday, she came to her reporting staff at 430 and said that the Senior VP of HR needed this project as soon as possible. She estimated that the project wo uld take about 4 hours of solid work, so everyone would have to work late. Fortunately for her staff, the project description was missing a key piece of information, so they had to call the Senior VPs schreibstube and ask about that detail. While on the phone with her admin, the staff membersaid, When does she need this? The response was, Oh, shes presenting the information on Wednesday, so if I could have it by midday Tuesday, that would be great. It was imagined stress and pressure that the boss had placed on her staff and that her staff, in turn, was placing on their staff. They dont know why the boss made up an earlier deadline, as her staff had never missed deadlines, but they also dont know about the reliability of the other players on her team. In this situation, they reduced the stress level by refusing to give into the frenetic pace. Instead, The staff checked client deadlines on their own and relayed the true information to their staff. The work was completed on time, with happy clients, and the work pace stayed manageable. Setting Expectations Do your employees know what you really expect and need from them? Do you sometimes say, X is a priority. and then come back later and ask why they havent finished Y yet?Your expectations are off. Setting expectations is actually easy if you remember to do it. Often you keep things in your head and assume the other person will automatically know what you need. So, instead of saying, Can you finish up this report by the end of the day? say, Can you gather the sales data, put it into the saatkorn format as the Anderson report you did last week and ask Karen to proofread it for you? I need to have this finalized report by 500 today, and I already told Karen to expect that report for proofreading by 400 at the latest. Does that work for you? See how that differs from Just do it? How would your employee know that you wanted a second pair of eyes to proofread the report if you didnt tell her? How would she know t hat you wanted her to use the Anderson format instead of the Jones format if you didnt tell her? When you walk away from this assignment, expectations are set, and the employee knows what you need. Youve also provided a chance for the employee to voice concerns. Its far better to know that shes going to have trouble meeting the deadline 8 hours in advancethan to be surprised when the report isnt completed on time. A true leader works within reality, and that sometimes means changing expectations. Leading by Example Do you gossip about your coworkers, bosses, and direct reports and then discipline your employees for doing the same? It doesnt provide a good example for employees. One of the best bosses observed was a master at leading by example. By watching her staff members learned how to run a meeting, how to handle an employees personal crisis, and how to push back against unrealistic demands. Do you want employees who get to work on time? Youd better show up on time. Do you w ant employees who are kind to customers? Dont talk about customers behind their backs. Do you want employees who do their work on time, with a high degree of accuracy? Youd best do the same. Sometimes bosses forget that they need to demonstrate leadership as well. A boss can sit in an office barking orders, but a leader gets in there and helps with the work. For several years, a department was responsible for processing theannual salary increasesfor 30,000 employees. That, alone, is a huge amount of work, but the staff had to take it one step further- every single one of those employees needed a piece of paper with their increase on it.In addition, every single manager needed a list of their employees and the ultimately approved salary increase. So that meant that staff had to stuff a ridiculous number of envelopes. Their direct boss was a vice president in a Fortune 100 company. Where was she during the envelope stuffing? Stuffing envelopes with the rest of her staff. Did they all jump when she told them to jump? You bet they didbecause they knew she was right there with them. Now, while there are certainly times when a leader isnt doing the work with you (after all, you have different responsibilities), a true leader does unpleasant tasks when necessary and jumps in to help when its feasible. Your example will shine through and youll be rewarded with a loyal staff that works hard. Characteristics of a Successful Leadership Style Much is written about what makes successful leaders. This series will focus on the characteristics, traits and actions that many leaders believe are key. Choose to lead.Be the person others choose to follow.Provide imagination for the future.Provide inspiration.Make other people feel important and appreciated.Live your values. Behave ethically.Leaders set the pace through your expectations and example.Establish an environment of continuous improvement.Provide opportunities for people to grow, both personally and professionally.Ca re and act with compassion.

A Guide for Handling Inappropriate Interview Questions

A Guide for Handling Inappropriate einstellungsgesprch QuestionsA Guide for Handling Inappropriate Interview QuestionsA Guide for Handling Inappropriate Interview QuestionsJob hunting can be stressful.As a candidate, you put a lot of effort into crafting your cover letter and your resume, networking your way to the perfect openings, and managing your nerves on the day of the bewerbungsgesprch. You want to make a good impression by answering questions in a way that positions you as a strong candidate.So what do you do if the hiring manager poses inappropriate interview questions - or worse, illegal? TWEETUnfortunately, this is bedrngnis a hypothetical question. You may be surprised to find out that according to asurveyconducted by Harris Poll, a shocking 20% ofover 2,000 hiring and human resource managers that were surveyed indicated they have asked a candidate illegal interview questions. When the same group of hiring managers was presented with a list of illegal questions and asked whetherbei they were legal, at least 33% said they werent sure. Since you cannot always rely on the hiring managers to do the right thing, researching this subject before the big day can help you map out tricky territory. First off, lets draw the line on what illegal interview questions are. In summary, race, gender, nationality, religion, military status, marital status, and disability are all protected categories. That means employers cannot use them to discriminate in their hiring practices.That sounds reasonable, you might say. What does that look like in practice? Here are some examples of questions that are illegal during the interview process. Some of them are so obvious you might cringe. Others are veiled and round-about. You might even spot one or two that you have been asked in an interview I know I didWho will take care of your children while you are at work?A good rule of thumb on any question that hints at gender or family status discrimination is to ask yourself, Woul d the employer be asking this if I were the opposite gender? The implication in this question is that you may not be able to fulfil the responsibilities of the job because you are a parent.A legal way of asking this question might look like this Will you be available to be present in the office from 9 to 6 during the work week? As long as that is a valid job requirement, and the question is asked of every candidate, clarifying availability is fair game.Are you planning to have more children?You family plans are legally off-limits in an interview, and this is definetly an inappropriate interview question. While you may be tempted to share pregnancy or toddler stories with a hiring manager (especially if she comes across as friendly or has a picture of a young child on her desk), the prudent thing to do is to refrain from doing so.How often are you away for Army Reserve training?This is an example of a discriminatory question based on military status. A legal way of reframing this que stion is, Are you available to travel two weeks out of the month to exhibit at conferences and visit clients? If those are legitimate job requirements.Have you ever been arrested?Asking about the arrest history of the candidate is an illegal interview question. Notably, the hiring manager can ask whether or not you have been convicted of a crime, or have used illegal drugs in the last 3 months, as neither criminal conviction nor illegal drug use are protected categories.Are you on any medication?This can be viewed as a roundabout way to ask about your health history and possible disability. A legal way to address the underlying concern is, Are you fit to operate heavy machinery, as would be required by this job description?Do you attend church every Sunday?This question hints at potential religious discrimination. A legal way to address a legitimate employment concern is along the lines of, Are you available for after-hours and weekend work duty if needed?What year did you graduate from high school?This is just another way of asking how old you are. Not OK.Now that you know what illegal and inappropriate interview questions might look like, what should your strategy be if one of those lands in your court? You have one of three choices.Answer the question. Many candidates do this as a default simply because they are afraid of coming across as non-collaborative, or dont see anything wrong with the question. My advice is to consider simply answering the question if you are comfortable doing so. Short and sweet answers are best.Refuse to answer the question. With an illegal question, it is certainly within your rights to not answer it. You can point to the protected nature of the category as your reason for not answering. Most employers will back off. Be prepared that this strategy can create some awkwardness not through any fault of yours, but uncomfortable nonetheless.Answer the intent of the question. This vorkaufsrecht allows you to protect your rights and ta ctfully address the hiring managers valid concern. You can offer a response that targets the heart of the question. Instead of answering Where were you born? directly, you might way If you meant to ask whether I am legally allowed to work in the United States, the answer is yes. Alternatively, you could redirect with a clarifying question. Help me understand why this matters, because I want to better understand the job Im interviewing for, will do the trick.Now that we got illegal questions out of the way, lets briefly address inappropriate questions. Believe it or not, cringe-worthy questions are sometimes asked at interviews. HR professionals are usually better trained on this subject, but it is not unheard of for line managers to ask whatever comes to mind. Some examplesDo you get PMS?Can you flirt with customers to make them spend more money?Can you wear more makeup?Your choices on an inappropriate interview question are essentially the same as for an illegal question. You can a nswer it directly, use humor to redirect, or ask the hiring manager to demonstrate how the question applies to the position you are applying for. If an inappropriate question turns you sour on the position, consider it a blessing in disguise and fodder for a good story.In closing, my best advice when dealing with illegal and inappropriate interview questions is to remain calm. In the interview, as in the rest of your professional life, you have control over what happens next. Dont let a prospective employer bully you into disclosing something that you are not comfortable with.Occasionally, hiring managers use illegal questions as an intimidation tool. Most of the time, however, the interviewer may not realize he is asking an illegal or an inappropriate question. This is particularly true if a portion of the interview is an informal lunch with prospective co-workers. Because of the relaxed setting, it can be easy for them to slip into personal territory with you that might be normal among them but is not appropriate in the context of an interview. Remember that you are in charge, dont get defensive, and protect your personal boundaries with grace and confidence. Aim to diffuse the situation, and use this as an opportunity to showcase your interpersonal skills.Need help with your resume? Take advantage of our free critique today Related Articles